Rhonda and Elliott Blades didn’t set out to win any awards – they simply wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of Apex children by providing peace of mind to families whose children attend their Primrose School at West Lake. But last month, the Blades were selected from among more than 200 schools in 16 states to win the coveted President’s Award from Primrose Schools (www.primroseschools.com).

The award was presented to them during Primrose Schools National Conference, held September 9-11 in Tucson, AZ. At the conference, Primrose Schools President and CEO Jo Kirchner acknowledged their hard work and dedication to providing superior educational child care services to families in the Raleigh area.

“It’s touching and humbling,” said Rhonda Blades. “The first thing I thought about was all the hard work of our staff members do each and every day to ensure the best experience and quality early education for the children. Our community leaders, local businesses and our local residents also deserve credit for the support they provide that helps us consistently deliver quality educational child care to local families.”

The Blades have been proactive and engaged lawmakers in conversations about how decisions affect schools and small business owners. The Blades have been able to work with the North Carolina Division of Child Development to create some positive changes for all children and staff in the state. They also serve on the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, and North Carolina Licensed Child Care Association along with being involved at their children’s elementary school.

Each year, Primrose Schools honor a select number of franchise owners with the President’s Award, based on their school’s performance on Primrose Schools’ rigorous Standard of Excellence Accreditation evaluation, their ability to build relationships with customers, staff and other franchisees, as well as their demonstrated commitment and investment in the local community.

“The Primrose School at West Lake consistently goes above and beyond to meet and exceed Primrose Schools’ rigorous standards,” Kirchner noted. “The Blades’ dedication provides peace of mind for parents who want balance in their careers without sacrificing what they want most for their child’s development, education and care. They provide a warm, loving environment where children can flourish.”